Virginia: Six Pro-Rights Bills Moving to Governor’s Desk

U.S. Law Shield of Virginia Members will be happy to hear that several pro-rights gun bills are headed to the Governor Terry McAuliffe’s desk for his signature or veto, Independent Program Attorneys Ed Riley and Mitch Wells report:

HB1432 by Delegate R. Lee Ware (R, House District 65) authorizes any person to carry a switchblade knife concealed when such knife is carried for the purpose of engaging in a lawful profession or lawful recreational activity the performance of which is aided by the use of a switchblade knife. The bill removes switchblade knives from the list of weapons the selling, bartering, giving, or furnishing of which is a Class 4 misdemeanor. The governor’s action deadline is midnight on February 20.

HB 1582 by Delegate Jeffrey L. Campbell (R, House District 6), allows a person at least 18 years of age but less than 21 years of age to apply for a concealed handgun permit if he is on active military duty or has received an honorable discharge from the United States Armed Forces or the Virginia National Guard and has completed basic training as a part of his military service. The bill allows reciprocity under the same circumstances for a nonresident who carries a concealed handgun or weapons permit recognized in the Commonwealth. Current law requires that residents and nonresidents be at least 21 years of age to carry a concealed handgun. The governor’s action deadline is midnight on February 20.

HB 1849 by Delegate C. Todd Gilbert (R, House District 15) provides that a concealed handgun permit shall be of a size comparable to a Virginia driver’s license and may be laminated or use a similar process to protect the permit. Current law requires that the permit be no larger than two inches wide by three and one-fourth inches long. The governor’s action deadline is midnight on February 20.

HB1466 by Delegate Hyland F. “Buddy” Fowler, Jr. (R, House District 55) provides that if a clerk has an electronic system for the application for and issuance of concealed handgun permits and such system has the capability of sending electronic notices to a permit holder, the clerk shall send the permit holder an electronic email notice that the permit will expire at least 90 days prior to such expiration. The bill provides that such notice shall be sent only if the applicant provides his email or other electronic address on his permit application, which shall request but not require this information. The bill provides further that any failure to send or receive such notice does not extend the validity of the existing permit beyond its expiration date. The governor’s action deadline is midnight on February 24.

HB 2325 by Delegate C. Matthew Fariss (R, House District 59) requires applicants for a concealed handgun permit to present one form of government-issued photo identification issued by a governmental agency of the Commonwealth or by the U.S. Department of Defense or U.S. State Department (passport). The bill removes the requirement that the application be made under oath before a notary. The governor’s action deadline is midnight on February 24.

HB 2369 by Delegate Brenda L. Pogge (R, House District 96) replaces the requirement that a concealed carry permit holder present proof of a new address with a requirement that the permit holder present written notice of the change of address on a form provided by the Department of State Police for a court to issue a replacement concealed handgun permit due to a change of address. The governor’s action deadline is midnight on February 24.

U.S. Law Shield of Virginia will continue to track the progress of these and other bills important to our Virginia Members.

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